What is the difference between Colourless and Near Colourless Diamonds

Diamonds are evaluated by a wide range of criteria used by gemologists. Colour is one of "The Four C's" — the four most important characteristics of a diamond. Colourless diamonds, the highest quality diamonds, get their name because they have no visible colour. 

Although diamonds with no discernible hue are the most expensive, a near-colourless diamond can also fetch a high price. A near colourless diamond is a good choice for those looking for an affordable diamond ring. Read on to find out what makes a diamond genuinely colourless instead of being near colourless.

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Diamond Colour Grading Scale

The colour of a diamond is one of the essential factors in establishing its worth. The AGS and the GIA offer the most well-recognised scales for grading diamond colour. While AGS is considered a reliable standard, the GIA scale is more commonly used by diamond dealers. Based on this scale, diamonds are classified as colourless, internally flawless, near colourless, faint, very light, or light in colour.

 

 

Diamonds that receive a grade of Z or higher on the GIA scale are considered multi-coloured. The highest quality diamonds are graded D through F for colourlessness, while grades G through J are considered near-colourless diamonds.

Near Colorless Diamonds

Near colourless diamonds, as their name suggests, have very minimal colour. Diamonds' colours originate from the elements like nitrogen trapped inside them. Because nitrogen is an excellent absorber of blue and violet light, diamonds typically seem yellow or brown. 

Although near-colourless diamonds aren't relatively pure as colourless diamonds, the difference between them is nearly impossible to spot without a microscope. Moreover, colourless and near-colourless diamonds are roughly indistinguishable when set in jewellery.

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Best Value

Near colourless diamonds are an excellent deal because they look just like expensive colourless diamonds but cost much less. However, diamonds rated F are also a perfect option for those who insist on having a colourless stone. These diamonds are less expensive than D colourless diamonds, with a higher clarity grade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is colourless diamond or near-colourless diamond better?

Near colourless diamonds are equally valuable as colourless diamonds, which are the most expensive. In short, a near-colourless diamond is an excellent choice for customers looking for a more reasonably priced diamond ring.

Which grade is a near-colourless diamond?

Grades for nearly colourless diamonds range from G to J. As they have warmth, it is impossible to see any colour in them until they are placed next to colourless diamonds. Due to its low colour content and affordable price compared to colourless choices, the G diamond is one of the most popular near-colourless graded diamonds.

Does a colourless diamond sparkle more?

Clarity impacts how much light is returned to the human eye, while cut determines how brilliant and sparkling a diamond will be. Therefore, a diamond's brilliance and light-refraction properties improve as its colourlessness increases.